Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Empire Builder Rail Experience

Seven-day Empire Builder rail trip, Chicago to Seattle

Empire Builder Rail Experience, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation from Chicago to Seattle aboard the Empire Builder in Coach class. The trip opens with two nights in Chicago, including a hop-on, hop-off tour that stops at the Art Institute, Millennium Park and the Willis Tower Skydeck, before boarding the train at Union Station for a two-night journey west. The evidence describes this leg as crossing the northern plains, lush forests and towering mountains along the way. Two nights in Seattle follow, with a multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour covering the Space Needle, Pioneer Square, the Seattle Aquarium, the waterfront and Pike Place Market. No tour manager travels with the group throughout; the included city tours provide the guided portions of an otherwise independent trip. This suits travelers who want a genuine long-distance train journey bookended by two city stays, rather than a multi-city cross-country itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotel is chosen from 12 accommodation options across Chicago and Seattle, described as 'choices, not consecutive stays,' so the specific property and comfort tier depend on what you select.
  • Two of the trip's six nights are spent onboard the train in Coach seating rather than a hotel bed.
  • The operator publishes no departure dates or seasonal information for this package in the evidence provided.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Chicago

    Your Journey Begins in Chicago

    Welcome to Chicago! Upon arriving into the city, check into your hotel and start enjoying your time in the "Windy City".

  2. Day 2overnight: Chicago

    Chicago, IL

    Today you will get to explore Chicago on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Your fully guided tour will allow you to get on and off at Chicago's top attractions. The tour's stops include the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, the John Hancock Center, and the Willis Tower. While at the Willis Tower you will have admission to the ever-popular Skydeck Observatory level.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    This afternoon board Amtrak in Chicago's Union station for your journey west to Seattle. Sit back and relax and prepare for a scenic train ride across the top of the country.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Overnight Onboard Amtrak

    The journey from Chicago to Seattle is magnificent. Enjoy the sights from the train as you travel past the northern plains, lush green forests, and towering mountains.

  5. Day 5overnight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    This morning you will arrive in Seattle! Use your multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour to visit Seattle's top attractions such as the Seattle Center (home to the famous Space Needle), Pioneer Square, and the Seattle Aquarium.

  6. Day 6overnight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    Continue to travel around the city with your hop-on, hop-off tour. Your fully guided tour will make stops at the beautiful Seattle waterfront as well as the popular Pike Place Market.

  7. Day 7

    Your Journey Ends in Seattle

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A hop-on, hop-off tour of Chicago stops at the Art Institute, Millennium Park and the Willis Tower, with admission to the Skydeck Observatory.
  • Day 3The Empire Builder departs Chicago's Union Station for the two-night journey west to Seattle.
  • Day 4The train crosses the northern plains, lush forests and towering mountains on the second day aboard the Empire Builder.
  • Day 5A multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour of Seattle visits the Space Needle at Seattle Center, Pioneer Square and the Seattle Aquarium.
  • Day 6The Seattle tour continues to the waterfront and Pike Place Market.

Included

  • One-way Amtrak in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder
  • 4 nights' hotel accommodations, 2 nights' onboard Amtrak

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. One-way Amtrak Coach travel is included from Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder.
How many nights are spent onboard the train?
Two, on days 3 and 4, traveling overnight from Chicago to Seattle.
Is it escorted or independent?
Independent. Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours are included in Chicago and Seattle, but no tour manager travels with the group throughout.
What is included in each city?
A hop-on, hop-off tour of Chicago with Skydeck admission, and a multi-day hop-on, hop-off tour of Seattle.
What hotels are used?
The package offers 12 accommodation options across Chicago and Seattle, including the Waldorf Astoria Chicago and the Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown.

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